Clamper fined for clamping breach

A wheel clamper from Hampshire has been convicted of wilfully obstructing a police constable in the execution of his duty.

Gareth Andrews, 39, of Privett Road, Fareham, was fined £1,115 after Portsmouth Magistrates' Court heard that he clamped two unmarked police cars that were providing security for the Queen.

The trial was told that the Queen had made an announced visit to Portsmouth on May 25 and PC Mark Cox and a second officer, both in plain clothes, had parked their unmarked cars at the Gunwharf Quays marina retail complex, which she was visiting.

Prosecutor Colin Shackel said the parking spaces allocated to the officers had been occupied by a delivery lorry so, after speaking with security staff, they left their vehicles in the next available bays.

Mr Shackel said two clamping vehicles arrived when one of the police officers had gone to consult colleagues, while PC Cox was talking to security staff.

He said that Andrews refused to remove the clamps from the two vehicles, an Audi and a BMW, when challenged by PC Cox , of Hampshire Police.

Mr Shackel said of the two officers: "If there was a contingency, it was their role to respond as quickly as possible."